Water withdrawals are threatening the Green River as potential dams and diversions are putting fish, wildlife and recreation at risk on the Crystal River, according to a new report. Both rivers made the annual “America’s Most Endangered Rivers” report released this morning. The Green River, the largest feeder to the Colorado River, ranked second on the list while the Crystal River ranked eighth. The Potomac River — dubbed “the nation’s river” as it provides drinking water to more than five million people around Washington, D.C. — was deemed the most endangered. The report, compiled by the nonprofit advocacy group American Rivers, cites Fort Collins businessman Aaron Million’s proposed Flaming Gorge pipeline, as well as a competing diversion proposal by Parker Water & Sanitation District manager Frank Jaeger, as major threats to the world-class recreation, rural economies, critical fish habitats, and the water supply for the lower Colorado River Basin. “Aaron Million and Frank Jaeger remain committed to build that pipeline,” Matt Rice, Colorado conservation director for American Rivers, said Monday. “There are a hundred reasons why it doesn’t make sense, why it’s a bad idea and why it’s not a responsible use of taxpayer money. We’re calling on Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to publicly oppose it.”

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